Manufacturer’s Description

Kahr Arms‘ CM45 is based on Kahr’s PM45, a .45 ACP semiauto with a 3.24″ barrel, but it takes the value-priced features from Kahr’s CW series (3.64″ barrelled 9mm, .40 SW and .45 ACP pistols) and incorporates these features into the smaller 3.24″ barrel package.

The CM45 from the left.

The CM45 has the same external dimensions as the PM45 and is also chambered in .45 ACP. It’s built on a black polymer frame with 4140 steel inserts molded into the frame in the front and back for added rigidity and strength. Kahr machines the CM45 slide 416 stainless steel with a matte finish. The differences between the CM45 and PM45 include the following:

The CM45 sports a conventional rifled barrel instead of a match-grade polygonal barrel;

the CM45’s slide stop lever is metal-injection-molded instead of machined;

The cocking cam trigger system employs a patented cam to both unlock the firing pin block (a passive safety) and complete cocking and releasing of the firing pin. Kahr says the system provides a safe-cam action and smooth double-action-only trigger stroke.

The offset recoil lug and the trigger bar attachment allow Kahr’s barrel to fit low in the frame, and since there is no hammer, the shooter’s hand can ride up the grip. The CM45 doesn’t offer a magazine disconnect or double-strike capability, but it does carry a drift-adjustable rear sight and a pinned-in polymer front sight featuring a white bar-dot configuration.

Finally, the slide does lock back after firing the last round.

Each gun ships with one six-round stainless steel magazine with a flush baseplate. The U.S.-made magazines are plasma welded and tumbled to remove burrs, and they feature Wolff Gunsprings. The magazine catch in the polymer frame is all metal and will not wear out on the stainless steel magazine after many uses.

Note: Kahr also offers a 9mm model, the CM9, and a .40 SW model, the CM40.